Just as interesting is the window into the rituals of many other NBA players that the article touches on. Apparently Ray Allen got a good chunk of the young Sonics to follow his routine, including Luke Ridnour. I think Ridnour needs a refresher.

Josh Howard’s comments on pot smoking may or may not have effected the Mavericks outcome in the playoffs (I personally think Chris Paul made the Mary Jane uproar a moot point because he would have torched the Mavs either way, and I’m sure most of the players went home feeling like they needed a puff after the series anyway).

But, it turns out that the Howard drama didn’t stop there. According to Jeff Caplan of Star-Telegram.com, Howard threw a 28th birthday party for himself after their Game 4 loss, specifically after former coach Avery Johnson had asked the team to refrain from extracurricular activities. The article is worth reading (full article found here), especially in light of the Avery Johnson axing (nod to Dime for this beat).

Also, does anyone else smell another Dirk Nowitzki retreat coming on? I think we should start a poll to choose his vacation spot this summer. He did the Outback last year, maybe some spiritual rekindling in the Himalayas this summer? Or, perhaps, a combination of the weight room and man camp?

Tough Juice has Gilbert’s back. I’m talking about the game-winner he hit last night, yes, but moreso, the trash he talked to LeBron in addition to it:

“Let’s make the series interesting,” he said, as LeBron laughed. “Let’s take it back to D.C.”

And, of course, LeBron missed (and not, LeBron, it was not a foul).

Mike Wise’s article also delves into how beloved Butler is by his teammates and the origins of the “Tough Juice” moniker if you don’t already know how it came to be (another nod to Dime–they’re making a bobblehead out of me today).

More importantly, though, is the fact that Craig Ehlo is now giving NBA insight. Or, at least insight into matters other than being the other guy in all those Jordan highlights. Maybe someone should ask him about the relief he felt from those Gatorade commercials where they CGI’d the endings of all those famous sports plays and MJ missed the jumper.

I read so many sports blogs and surf through enough other random sites that I have decided it is finally time for me to start my own version of “links.” Seemingly every blogger has their own take on this, with their own witty name to boot, so who am I to break tradition?

The Atlanta Hawks ended a playoff drought dating back to 1999 last week, earning them the right to be crushed by Boston Celtics in the first round.

Everywhere, Boston fans rejoiced. They then took a nap.

Game 1 provided little drama as the C’s easily took care of business against the “Oh, I forgot we actually have to play the games now” Hawks.

So, in light of little to post about the actual game, here is video of a much more interesting Celtics event. If you missed it, this is the ESPN SportsCenter Sunday Conversation with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and KG. And the second is Kevin Garnett’s post-game press conference after the Game 1 victory last night. The thing to keep in mind during both of these that Kevin Garnett is insane, and I love him for it.

Bonus points for anyone who finds me that picture of KG in his undersized jean jacket.